Luring Incident Under Investigation in New Milford

New Milford Police are investigating a possible luring incident that occurred around 2:30 p.m. Thursday on Henley Avenue.

According to Police Chief Frank Papapietro, a 17-year old female reported that after stepping off her school bus at Henley Avenue and Boulevard, she was approached by male in a silver four-door sedan with a squared off front and rear design who asked her if she wanted a ride.

"The victim refused and continued walking thinking nothing further about the incident until she mentioned it later that evening to her family and realized there were other incidents in the area," Papapietro said.

The driver was described as a white male in his mid-40's with a prominently large nose, Papapietro said. He was further described as having short brown hair, brown eyes, bushy eyebrows and a round face. He was wearing a black jacket.

Papapietro said that the victim will be coming to the New Milford Police Department Friday to be re-interviewed by detectives and meet with a sketch artist.

"As soon as we have the sketch I will be releasing it," Papapietro said.

The report of this incident follows on the heels of other potential luring incidents that have recently occurred in the area. Westwood Police are searching for a man involved in a "potential luring incident" that occurred Thursday morning when a Westwood Jr./Sr. High School student was walking to school. A man driving a gray four-door hatchback allegedly stopped and offered the girl a ride. She declined and reported the incident when she got to school.

Oradell Police are investigating a potential luring incident after a seven-year-old resident reported being approached by an unknown white male outside of her home last week.

Ridgewood police are investigating a report that three men tried to lure a George Washington Middle School student into a car as she walked home from school on October 13.

Prior to that, an incident was reported in Maywood when a middle-aged man approached a young girl asking her to come "see his puppies."

Papapietro urges anyone with information to contact the New Milford Police Department at 201-261-1400.

Papapietro said that in light of these recent incidents, parents should remind their children they should never talk to strangers and never get into a car with someone that they don't know.

"New Milford Police are taking every precaution to protect the children of our town," Papapietro said.

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